AN architecture expert has published a book dedicated to the secrets and details of the construction of Durham Cathedral.

The short volume, published by the Durham City Trust, was written by Douglas Pocock with the help of friends and colleagues Malcolm Thurlby and David Park. Also included is an essay, originally given as the 1985 Durham Lecture by Ian Curry, who died in 2012.

Durham Cathedral has often been hailed as the best building in the world by both art and architecture experts and continues to be both a point of pride and a huge tourist draw for the city.

Dr Pocock, reader emeritus in Geography at Durham University and honorary secretary of the City of Durham Trust, began the book at the suggestion of the Cathedral’s bookstore. He has written about Durham several times before.

“The other authors are all friends of mine and colleagues, they are all experts in their field,” he said. “I enjoyed the process – I don’t write anything I don’t enjoy.”

The book is a technical exploration of how the Cathedral was built and decorated and features many drawings and photographs.

“Many of the pictures are of places most people don’t get to see, or don’t even notice,” Dr Pocock said.

Durham Cathedral: An Architectural Appreciation will be available for £7.50 from the Cathedral bookshop. The City of Durham Trust, which published the book, is a charity dedicated to encouraging the appreciation and conservation of the city’s historical features.